Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 (4.5/5)
Genre : Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Drama
Year : 2026
Episodes : 8
Running time : 41–45 minutes (per episode)
Streaming Platform : Amazon Prime Video
Director : Prosit Roy, Anusha Nandakumar, Sandeep Saket
Cast : Ali Fazal, Sonali Bendre, Aamir Bashir, Akash Makhija, Ramandeep Yadav, Rakesh Bedi
Kid rating : R (18+)
Raakh is based on the infamous kidnapping and murder of a brother and sister in Delhi. At the time – this was 1978 – it made national headlines because two criminals, known as Ranga and Billa, kidnapped the children and brutally murdered them. The investigation dominated newspapers across the country, and for many people this case marked the beginning of Delhi’s reputation as an unsafe city.
Raakh is essentially a dramatized retelling of the crime. It stars Sonali Kulkarni as the children’s mother and Ali Fazal as the police inspector leading the investigation.
The story spends considerable time exploring the family’s perspective. We see them as a close-knit family of four—a mother, father, and their two children. We witness their everyday lives, their hopes and aspirations, and the love they share for one another.
The series also delves deeply into the life of the investigating officer Sub-Inspector Jayprakash, or JP (Fazal). We learn about his family, his work environment, his friendships, and how these shape him. He’s trying to do his job while facing intense pressure from his superiors. His boss believes he lacks the experience to handle such a high-profile case and repeatedly threatens to take the investigation away from him and assign it to a more senior officer.
Then there is the perspective of the two criminals. The series explores their backgrounds, how they became criminals, and what shaped them into the brutal criminals they are. We follow their movements across India, first in Mumbai, then Delhi, and eventually back to Mumbai once the investigation intensifies. They begin with petty crimes, but their violence escalates dramatically. Both men have little moral compass, but one of them is portrayed as deeply disturbed, with almost no control over his violent impulses.
The series devotes time to each of these groups; the characters are well developed and script tight, the story deeply affecting. You truly feel for the parents, whose entire world is shattered when their children disappear. It is difficult to watch at times. The crime itself is horrifying, and while much of the violence is implied rather than shown explicitly, the emotional impact is devastating.
You also come to sympathize with the sub-inspector JP, who is desperately trying to solve the case. He carries the burden of knowing he has been unable to keep his city safe, while also trying to establish himself professionally. His father was a humble constable who was better known for his excellent cooking than his investigative skills. JP needs to shirk off the deprecating tag – “muttonwale bauji ka beta” – and prove himself through his own abilities. While he is horrified by the brutality these criminals have unleashed, he never gives up.
The performances throughout the series are exceptional. Every actor delivers a nuanced and restrained performance, and at no point does the series feel sensationalized. It handles the subject matter with remarkable sensitivity and respect. Full credit to the director, writers, and cast!
Ali Fazal is marvelous here. We’ve seen him play very different characters before, whether in Mirzapur or in films like Victoria & Abdul. He’s an excellent actor in general, but this probably is one of his finest performances. He brings tremendous sensitivity, gravitas, and quiet courage to the role of Sub-Inspector Jayprakash.
The actors portraying the two criminals are equally impressive, particularly the one playing Babu (Akash Makhija), the more psychotic of the pair. What makes his performance even more remarkable is that we’ve also seen him in Gram Chikitsalay, where he plays Gobind, a simple village man—a character completely opposite to this one.
Another aspect I appreciated was the recreation of Delhi in that era. The sets, locations, costumes, and atmosphere convincingly transport you back to the late 1970s. One thing that genuinely surprised me was how the series depicts everyday life in Delhi at the time. Today, Delhi is widely regarded as a city where people—especially women—must be extremely cautious, particularly at night. Accepting a ride from a stranger would be unthinkable.
Yet in the series, it’s common to see people, including children, casually accepting lifts from strangers on scooters or cars. Was Delhi really that much safer back then? If so, it’s quite sad to see how the city has changed. Delhi remains beautiful, but concerns about safety have become a significant part of its reputation.
Overall, Raakh is an outstanding series. It’s brilliantly written, superbly acted, and handled with remarkable maturity and sensitivity. Highly recommended – this is likely to be the best Hindi TV series of the year.
Kidwise: Not suitable for children due to graphic violence, disturbing themes, and mature content.
